US 5,318,167 AGranted

Control system for power driven conveyor line

AssigneeNewcor, Inc.

InventorsStephen R. Bronson, Russell W. Kettelson

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Abstract

A control system for a power driven conveyor line having power driven conveyor zones adjoined end to end. Each conveyor zone includes a single drive motor, a transmission, driven conveying elements extending the length of the conveyor zone, and an adjacent workstation having a designated stopping point located therein. The control system includes a local controller for controlling the operation of one or more conveyor zones via remote command signals, a respective zone controller associated with each conveyor zone for controlling the operation of the conveyor zone in response to the remote command signals, and first and second sensors coupled to each zone controller for detecting different load positions along the conveyor zone. The first sensor detects the load which causes the zone controller to linearly decelerate the motor, and necessarily the load, from a first speed to a second speed. The second sensor, located downstream from the first sensor, detects the load which causes the zone controller to stop the motor via a DC injection braking signal. The load is stopped at the designated stopping point as it reaches the second speed.

In a power driven conveyor which defines a conveyor line having a plurality of powered conveyor zones adjoined end to end for supporting and conveying a load from zone to zone, each said conveyor zone including driven conveying means extending throughout the length of the respective conveyor zone from an input end to an output end thereof, the load being supportable directly on said conveying means for transport along the zone, each said conveyor zone also including a single drive motor means for driving the conveying means, a transmission means for drivingly coupling the drive motor means to the conveying means, and a control system for controlling operation of the conveyor, the improvement wherein said control system comprising:

a local controller for controlling said conveyor zones by a plurality of control signals;
a respective zone controller associated with each said conveyor zone and coupled to the local controller for controlling the respective conveyor zone, each said zone controller including means for controlling the operation of the respective conveyor zone in response to said control signals received from the local controller;
first sensing means associated with each said conveyor zone and coupled to the respective zone controller for signalling when a leading edge of the load has reached a designated deceleration point;
each said zone controller including means for initiating a ramp-down motor control signal in response to the respective first sensing means for decelerating the respective drive motor means;
second sensing means associated with each said conveyor zone and coupled to the respective zone controller for signalling when the leading edge of the load has reached a designated stopping point;
each said zone controller including means for initiating a stop signal in response to the respective second sensing means signal;
and
means associated with each said drive motor means for stopping the drive motor means in response to the stop signal.

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Abstract

Claims19